Coin changer



June 2, 1953 PlANo 2,640,575

COIN CHANGER Filed Sept. 18, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 fizz/eiz (07": IDavzzzzze Pzarzo June 2, 1953 D. A. PIANO 2,640,575

COIN CHANGER Filed Sept. 18. 1947 K 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 11 Z Z O Mi n.

Patented June 2, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COIN CHANGER Dominic A. Piano, Chicago, Ill. Application September 18, 1947, Serial No. 774,731

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to coin changers and more particularly to an automatic coin changer adapted for use with coin-operated merchandise vending machines and similar mechanisms which are constructed to receive coins of several denominations and which require deliveries of various amounts of change in return for certain of such coins. A vending machine typical of mechanisms of this character is one adapted, for example, to vend a five-cent article of merchandise upon the insertion of either a nickel, dime or quarter, the correct amount of change being delivered to a customer with the article when a dime or quarter has been inserted.

In general the device of my invention comprises a plurality of coin chutes each of which 'is adapted to receive coins of a different denomination. Movable members are provided in each of the chutes arranged to receive coins which require change, the number of members in any one of said chutes being relative to the amount of change required for each coin to be received thereby. Said members are disposed within the chutes so as to be sequentially activated by each passing coin and are individually adapted upon activation to cause the operation of a change pay-out slide.

The primary object of my invention is to proide an improved and reliable automatic coin changer of the general character described which is adapted to quickly deliver a predetermined number of small coins as change for coins of larger denominations.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of this type having a, simple and inexpensive construction.

A further object of my invention is to provide in such a coin changer means for making the movable members and the pay-out slide inoperative when the supply of coins therein available for change-making has been reduced to a minimum.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses an embodiment thereof" adapted for use with vending machines or other mechanisms operatable by nickels, dimes and quarters and requiring a delivery of change for coins of the two latter denominations.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a coin changer incorporating my invention;

Fig. 2 is a like view of the back of said coin changer;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the same taken on the line 33 in Fig. l showingthe arrangement of the coin chutes and illustrating the position of a cover which may be placed over the device;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 4-4 in Fig. 1 to illustrate certain of the parts associated with the change supply tube;

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views taken substantially on the line 5-5 in Fig. 1 to show in detail the structure and operation of the means for controlling the replenishment of coins in the change supply tube; and

Fig. '7 is a schematic diagram of an electric circuit for my coin changer. i

As thus illustrated, the devicehas a vertical wall plate I I, the upper portion of which is bent forwardly at approximately thirty degrees from the vertical. are found L-shaped mounting flanges l2 and 13 each of which may be provided with holes M to receive mounting screws. 15 which may be threaded into any suitable structure for support-' ing the plate H. The lower edge of the plate may be provided with a flange l6 which may also serve for mounting purposes if desired.

On the forward side of said plate 'is attached, as by brackets 11 and rivets l8, a channel member comprising a wall l9 and sides 20. Said 2) are a series of staggered symmetrically wedge shaped blocks 22 of fiber or other suitable ma terial attached to said plate as by rivets 23. Be-' low the blocks 22 another block 24'of similar material is fixed to the plate H by rivets 25. A

plate 26 is disposed over said blocks and is pro-.

vided with flanged edges 21 which abut the rear surface of the wall plate II. Said plate 26 may be attached to the wall plate by means of brackets 28 and rivets 29 as Well as by the rivets 23 and 25. The wall plate H, the-blocks,-

22 and 24, and the plate 26 with its flanged edges 21 comprise a staggered coin passage (in-. dicated generally by the numeral 30) extending downwardly from the uppermost'edge ,of the plate I] to the lower right edge of saidplate [as On the side edges of said plate viewed in the Fig. 2.

3 Said passage 3!] is of suitable size, in the device illustrated, to accommodate U. g. quarters. Opposite the lower end of the passage 33 a slot 31 of proper size is provided in one side of the L-shaped flange (2 to allow coins to pass from said passage and drop into a cash box (not shown). If desired, a coin chute extension 32 may be spot welded, for example, to the flange 12 for purposes of conducting said "coins from the passage 38 to a coin operateddevice (also not shownr or'to' said cash box.

A third coin passage 33 which may be adapted to receive U. S. nickels, for example, extends downwardly vertically from a position adjacent and forward of the upper edge of the' coin chut'e channel wall it! to a level below the sloping and bent upper portion of the tan plat'e' H'. From this level said passage extends diagonally down wardly to a position directly above a coin supply tube- 34 to be hereinafter described, and then vertically to an open upper endof said tube. The passage 33 may be formed; by two walls 35- and 3t and by sides 32, $8, 39, 49 and H, the side dflserving as thetop for the diagonal portion-of; the passage and the side ll serving as a floor; for part of said diagonal portion. The

walls and sides of the passage may be assembledas by soldering. and the entire assembly supported upon the plate i! by means of brackets 42 and 43; and by screws it passed through said brackets; and threadedinto said plate.

A horizontal base plate' l'5- having a flange 46 extending" at a right angle from the rear edge thereof is attached to the wall plate H by means of screws 6,? passed through the flange and-threaded into said wall platei- Mounted upon said-base plate is a solenoid d8 of well known construction having an armature 49 adapted to bedrawn into said solenoid when electric current is supplied to the latter. Also mounted upon the base plate, by means; of four bolts 50 and [nuts is a support plate 52 having a base ring 53 formed thereon and adapted to receive an open lower end'of the vertically positionedboin tube 34. Said coin tube may have an internal diameter sughuygreater than that of a 3. S. niokel and may be supported at its upper endby'means of a ring bracket 53" attached'byl bolts to the pl'ate ll. 7

Spacers 55 are provided on each of the bolts" SBbetween the base plate and the support plate di to provide space for a pay-out slide" 55' which rhay'be'of a thickness equal', for example, to a c; nickel. Said" slide is provided with a coin feceivirlg hole 56 positioned so" a's'to be directly below the open end of the coin" tube'wh'en said slide is in itsinaotive' position, asillus'tratedbest in Fig. 4. Thes'uppo'rt plate sz 'has therein a similar disposed hole (not shown the drawings) whereby coins m'ay'pass from the coin tube into thehole' rsthe'pay-out slide'ancl rest on the'u'pper' surface of the base plateflt'. I

a bracket 51- ma be mounteu upon the upper side ofthesol'e'noid 48in any suitable'manner, as; forexample; b means of a bolt til which' may be apart' of the-solenoid structure. The" bracket may be provided with ears- 5a adapted to fit snugly over opposite upper edges of the solenoid toreceive'said bolt and to add tothe rigidity of themounting. Said bracket extends from the solenoid-to a position above thearmature 49" and provided with-another ear 60 to which an end of an-ajrm' 6| is'pivotably mounted by means-of a bolt 62. Said arm has a pin 63 fixedly mounted thereon which is adapted to ride in a slot 64 in a bracket 65 attached as by welding to the armature t9 (Figs. 1 and l). The other end of the arm (H is provided with a slot 156 in which rides a pin 61 fixed to a bracket 68 on an end of the pay-out slide. A tension spring 59 has one of its ends attached about another pin it fixed to the arm 61 between the slot 66 and the pin 63. Said" spring is attached" at its other end to an appropriately shaped bracket 'H mounted upon the support plate 52 as by one of the bolts 58.

It will readily be understood that when electric current is applied to the solenoid 43, the armature will be drawn into the latter to cause the armtl to pivot about the bolt 62 and move the pay-out slide toward the solenoid. When saidcurrent' is'in'ter'rupted, the tension spring 69 willcause the pay-out slide, the arm, and the solenoid armature to return to their inactive positions.

A cutout portion shown generally at 12 (Fig. 4) is' provided in an end of the pay-out slide to. receive a st'o'pT3 formed on the base. plate d fi to limit the return travel of said pay-out slide. Also formed in the base plate is a hole I ll over which the coin receiving hole 58' in the pay-out slide will pass as the latter is moved toward the solenoid. Any' coin resting in-the hole 56 will thus fall through the hole M when thepay-outchute is: moved in the manner above described.-

Ears and "it are formed on the rear side of the wall 36 ofthe coin passage 33*and are adaptedto receive a pin l? upon; which is pivotably mounted a bracket 78. Said-bracket'has an extensionon one side thereof forming a coin trap floor l9 and has on its'other side a finger lit-which: may extend through a hole8'l in thewall 36 directly above said coin tubeand through a hole 82 in the wall 35 opposite saidhole 8t. In its: normal positions, the finger 863 protrudes-throughsaid holes to form a barrier in the coin passage 33, and the floor l9 provides abottom in oonjunc tion with the'side 41 for the diagonal pcrtion'of said" coin passage: A spring 33 may be disposedabout the-pin H to retain the-floor and finger in said normal positions except while a coin is in contact with said'finger, at which time the latter willbe' forced out'of the passage 33', and the floor 19' will be" moved to provide'an' openingin the bottom of the" diagonal portion of the passage as illustrated in Fig; 6.

A hopper shown generally at 88 is attached to the forward face of the plate H, as by brackets 85 an'd rivets 86. said hopper is positioned directly below the coin trap floor T9 and isarranged toreceive coins from-the coin passage 2!. The lower end of saidhopper is open and extends through ahole 81in said plate lland intothe coin passage 30 on the rear side of said plate. It will thusbe understood that all coins" which" may drop into the hopper will be discharged" therefrom into the passage 38 and will roll from the latter into a coin bo'xor other device.

A double contact electric switch 88' of well known construction is mounted on the bracket 'Ifif adjacent the base of the coin tube 34. The switch is provided" with an actuating arm 89 whichmay extend into said tube through an opening 90 thesid'e' of the latter (Figs. 1 and 4) Terminals are provided on the switch" 88" to receive a power line 9'! and leads 92 and 93', the latter of which extends" from said switch to four single contactswitches Q4, 9'5, 9 5 and 9-1 ofsuitable commercial construction. Said arm 89 is arranged to be expelled from the interior of the tube 34 by the presence therein of four or more coins, for example. In being so expelled the arm will cause said switch 88 to break a contact be tween the line 9| and the lead 92 and make a tached at one end to a shaft I99, the latter being an integral part of each switch. Said switches are of a spring loaded'type having normally open contact points which will be closed by a rotation of the shaft I99 and which will remain in a closed position only for so long as said shaft is held in a rotated position. The free ends of the arms 99-are bent at a right angle and extend through are shaped slots |9I in the plate H and through similar slots I92 in the plate 26 to form movable barriers in the coin passage 39. It will readily be understood that a coin passing downwardly through said passage will momentarily depress eachof the arms 99 in passing the same. Said arms will in turn momentarily rotate the switch shafts I99 to close the contacts in the switches. Each of the arms may have a small loop I93 formed on the extremity thereof to increase its rigidity.

The switches 96 and 91 are identical to the switches 94 and 95 and are mounted in a similar way on the rear face of the plate II. The switch 9! is provided with an arm 99 which extends through an arc shaped slot I94 in the plate 26 and through a similar slot I95 in the wall plate II to form another movable barrier in the coin passage 69. The switch 96 is provided with an arm I96 which differs from the arms 99 in that its free end is bent to extend across both of the coin passages 39 and 2| through an are shaped slot I91 in the plate 26, a similar slot I98 in the plate II and a slot I99 in the wall I9. The contacts in the switch 96 may thus be momentarily closed by the passing of a coin through either the passage 39 or 2 I.

When there are sufficient coins in the tube 34 to expel the actuating arm 89 of the switch 88, electric current will flow from a power source (not shown) through the power line 9|, through said switch 88 to the lead 93 and hence to each of the switches 94, 95, 96 and 9'! (Fig. 7). In this condition the depression of any one of. the arms 99 or the arm I96 by the passage of a coin will close the contacts in the corresponding switch and allow the current to fiow through a lead [I9 which is connected to each of the switches 94, 95, 96 and 91 in parallel. Said lead 9 is connected to one side of the solenoid 48, the other side of said solenoid being connected to a power return line III by alead II2. It will therefore be understood that while power is supplied to the switches 94, 95, 96 and 91, the solenoid 48 will be energized to operate the pay-out slide 55 each time any one of'said switches is closed.

In a typical installation my new coin changer may be suitably positioned and provided with auxiliary coin chutes (not shown) which. will conduct coins to the top openings of the coin passages 2|, 39 and 33. The embodiment of the invention I have described above is ideally suited, for example, for installation in a coin operated machine adapted to vend a five-cent article of merchandise in return for a nickel, dime or quarter. A mechanism for ejecting slugs and the like is usually incorporated in such machines and my coin changer may be positioned so as to receive the genuine coins as they leave a mechanism of that character. the changer may, for example, be placed so as to receive coins emerging from a coin controlled device such as is sometimes used to set a vendin apparatus in motion. In any such arrangement said auxiliary coin chutes may conduct all nickels to the top of the coin passage 33, dimes to the passage 2|, and quarters to the passage 39. All of said nickels will fall downwardly through the passage 33 to reach the diagonal portion thereof and then roll downwardly across the coin trap floor 79 as illustrated in Fig. 1 by the broken outline of coins I|3. Said nickels will roll off of the lower edge of the floor 19 (as indicated by the outline of coin H4) and in so doing will contact the finger 89 and cause the same to move out of the passage. The nickels will then drop downwardly into the coin supply tube 34 and the finger 89 will return to its normal position across the passage. drop into the tube will come to rest horizontally in the coin receiving hole 56 in the pay-out slide 55. Other nickels so received will stack themselves one upon another in the tube.

When four or more nickels, for example, are in the tube 34, the actuating arm 89 on the switch 88 will be moved out of said tube by the presence of thecoins and electric current will be supplied to the switches 94, 95, 96 and 91. If a dime, for example, is then conducted to the top of the passage 2|, it will fall downwardly therethrough, momentarily depress the arm I96 on the switch 96, and fall (as shown by the outline of coins H5) into the hopper 84. From the latter, said dime will be conducted into the lower portion-of the coin passage 99 and will roll down and out of said passage (outline of coins H6) and fall into the cash box. Upon the depression of the arm I96, however, contacts in the switch I96 willhave been momentarily closed to ener e the solenoid 48 to operate the pay-out slide and cause a nickel to fall through the hole 14 in the base plate 45 as indicated by the arrow III. A nickel thus discharged may fall into a cup or the like (not shown) from which it may'b'e'removed by a customer as change for the dime.

A quarter, upon being introduced into the staggered coin passage 39, will roll down the same in the path indicated by the broken out-' line of coins II8 in Fig. 2 and will sequentially and momentarily depress each of the arms 99 and the arm I96 to repeatedly energize the solenoid 48. With each energization of the solenoid the pay-out slide will be operated and four nickels will consequently be discharged in the manner hereinbefore described, said nickels being the proper amount of change for the quarter. It will readily be understood that the staggering of thecoin passage 39 will provide a sufficient time delay after each energization of the solenoid to allow the pay-out slide to return to its normal position before said solenoid is again energized. It will also beapparent that said In other installations V The first of said nickels to' ammete F quarter's may' roll from the: lower, such of? the passage 30 and. be: received by the-cash: boxz When the coin' tube 34 is'subst'antially with nickels, a nickel; introduced" into the pa sage.- 331 will:- come to rest vertically onthe upp most. coin the:.tube in the.- positiorr. shown. by the outline of. the coin ll' linliigs: 1;. anrlfi; So long asithei level of'coinsin. the. tube remains inthis condition the finger til will bezhel'ch out of? the:v passage 33 by said coin: H42. The? trap. floor 19 will. be pivoted with the fingersabouti the pin": H. to an open positionand; nickelsi thereafter. receivediin; the passagewill fall through: the. open: floor of the: diagonal portion. of said. passage. and. into" the hopper 84- in a: path; illustratedr by theoutline of coins H9 in Fig. 6; Front-the; hopper saidinickels will. be. conducted. into the lowerrhor tion of thecoin. passage 3% and. roll therefrom into the cash. box. When the; level of coins in the: tube is lowered-.by' the operation of the: payout slide, the coin M will fall into the: tubeand': the finger 8e and. trap floor 1 9 will. return: to their normal positions. In this manner the: supply of coins. in said tube is entomatically re. plenished' and controlled,

When the supply of coins in the tube is re-'-- duced toless than four, for example, the actuaating arm- 89': on the switch flt will pivot into. said tube, and contact in saidv switchbetween. the: power line 91 andthe lead 93 will bebroken: to"interrupt'thecircuit toi the switchesfi l; 955,. 96 and 91', thus making said switches, the. solenoid-. 48 and the-pay-out slide inoperative.

In certain. installations of my deviceit, may be desirable to provide means for indicatingiwhetm erv the level of coins: in. the. tube is such: that the pay-out slide will operate it coinsrequiring: change are inserted. For this purpose an. elec trio lamp 120 may be attached. at one'of its-sides. to thelead 93 by means of a lead; I2 I Theotherr side of the lamp may be connectedto thepowerf return line [H as by a lead I22 (Fig 7:). Said lampwill be lighted whenpower is-supplied .to" the: switches 94,. 95, 96 and 91-, and may be used. to-illuminate' a sign, for example; indicatingthat. nickels, dimes-or quarters may be inserted. Another lamp I23 may haveoneof itssides-attached to the lead 92 and the other side to the power returnv line Ill by means. of, a lead. 124. Said. lamp [23 will be. illuminated. when the switches. 94,. 95, 95' and 91, as well. as the solenoid; and pay-out slide, are inoperative. The latter. lamp may be used to light a sign indicating; that only. ni'ckels should be inserted. A solenoid I24 may. also be incorporated in the circuit in parallel with the lamp 123 to operate suitable apparatus. (not shown) which will. block the auxiliary coin. chutes leading to the coin. passages 2f audit and thus prevent the insertion ofcoins" requiring change at times when an insufficient number of coins available for change remain in thecoirr tube" 34.

A cover r25 for enclosing the: front; top and" sides" of my device may be installed if desired-.- sum 2; cover is shown in cross-sectionin the Fig. 3 and is indicated by the broken lines 1-2-6? in: Fig. 1 Screws [27 maybe threaded into the flanges i2 and I3' for securing said cover'to the device. Appropriately arranged holes lztmay alsobe formed in the plate I l and provided with rubber grommets 12!? through which the leads 93 and i-"lflmay be directed from the switches 9% and 95 to' the rear of the device.

The foregoingdetailed description has been given forclearness of understanding only'amf no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appending: claims should? be? construedas broadly-as'permissible in view-of'the prior art.

1'. A coin. changer comprising: a plurality'of coin chutes; eachbei'ng adapted to receive; a coin. of. a difierent denomination tobe changed; electric switches: disposed contiguously'to'saidi chutes. inzdifferentialnumbers relative. to said" denominationsiwhereby' any one of said coins in passing, through an appropriate one of said chutes will; sequentially actuate those of said switches: contiguous thereto at least one off said chutes being adapted to receive. coins of a denominationre- I a. coin: dispensing. slide in association with said.

container;. and. electrical devices controlled; by said switches. for operating. saidi coin dispensing. slideto. eject fromsaidlcontainera coin aschange.

eachtime any one of said switches. is. actuated.

2.. A coinchanger. comprising: a supply container for. coins suitableioi'. change;. a dispensing means. associated with saidcontainer; aplurality of" coin chutes, each being adapted to receivea'. coinof a. different denomination to be changed; electric switches disposed: contiguously to. said: chutes differential. numbers relative to said. denominationsrwhereby any onerof saidcoins passing. through an appropriate one. of said; chutes. will. sequentially and. momentarily close. those of said switches contiguous thereto one oi said ohutesbeing adaptedto receive coins of -a denomination. requiring a. plurality of coins" as? change and. being of zig-zag. formation, the' momentary" switches. operable by coins passing. through said. chute being disposed, respectively,; at the turning'point's in the chute. to assure ade'e quate: time. interval between operation of the. successive. switches: to" allow intervening operas tions of. said; dispensing: means and an electrical device: controlled by' said" switches: for. ejecting therefrom. a coin as. changeeach time any one; of the: switches: is. closed.

3. A. coin changer comprising: a plurality of:

' coin: chutes, each. being adapted to receive a.

coin-:- of. a: difierent. denomination to be changed; electric switches. disposed contiguously to said chutess in. differential numbers: relative to said denominations whereby any one of said coins in passing through an appropriate one of: said chutes-will sequentially and momentarilyclose those of. saidi switches contiguous thereto; atleast one. of said chutes being adapted to receive coins. of: a denomination. requiring a plurality of coins as: change and having a plurality of bends therein one between eachtwo-adj acent switches; the. switches being located at said bends; individ-- ualidu'st-proof casings for said switches; switch arms extending therefrom into said chutes, respectively; arcuate guiding means for said arms; a. supply container for coins suitable for change; a: dispensing means associated with said container; and an electrical device controlled by'saidf switches for ejecting therefrom a coin. as change each time anyone of the switches. is closed.

DOMINIC A. PIANO;

(References on= following page)- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date McClellan Dec. 9, 1924 Varcoe Dec. 8, 1925 Burian Mar. 2, 1926 Baker Apr. 27, 1926 Crawford June 8, 1926 Maxwell Nov. 8, 1927 Wilson July 7, 1931 Rufi Mar. 1, 1932 Johnson Dec. 7, 1937 Adrian July 5, 1938 Patzer July 22, 1941 Shann July 29, 1941 Number Number Switzerland Apr. 16, 1943 

